Critic Hal Tanner resigns from Upland City Council Advisory Committee

UPLAND -- A longtime critic of city government has stepped down from his position on the City Council Advisory Committee.

Hal Tanner, who was appointed to the committee by Councilwoman Debbie Stone in January, recently submitted his resignation via email.

"I appreciate being selected; however, I do not believe that I can make a contribution to the common good," Tanner said in the email.

Tanner has been critical of city officials for years and has called for more transparency.

While on the committee, Tanner attended two meetings to discuss an administrative citation ordinance, ethics code and campaign contribution limits. He voted against the citation ordinance and abstained from the other two items.

"The absence of an open government ordinance and a meaningful code of ethics in Upland has influenced my decision to resign," he said in his email.

"I firmly believe that without these basic standards, the people of Upland will see a continuation of conduct which is contrary to the common good of the good people of Upland. "

Stone said she and Tanner had an agreement from the start of his service on the committee.

"If it did not work for him, I would completely understand and we would move forward," she said.

"Hal has his own reasons for resigning and I totally respect his decision. "